Fight fire with nature: Trim those trees

By: ELIZABETH IRELAND - For the North County Times | Thursday, November 15, 2007 7:26 PM PST ∞

On the second night of the October wildfires, as many people packed bags with whatever clothing and pictures they could, the team at Encinitas Pro Trees was on call, armed with respirators and boom trucks. Heading out into the smoky night, they tackled a palm tree about to fall on a house and power lines in Solana Beach.

The day before, company personnel had responded to several emergency calls, including one from a man in Fairbanks Ranch, trapped in his garage by a downed pine tree.

Pro Trees Encinitas is one of the many tree preservation and care providers in North County maintaining vegetation and reducing fire risks in the community. Today, the company is still backed up with work orders after the fires that raged three weeks ago.

"It is important to remember not every tree is a fire hazard," cautioned Theron Winsby, a second-generation certified arborist from Pro Trees. "You don't have to be hasty and go cutting lots of trees down."

If you have doubts about the trees around your home, Winsby continued, it's a good idea to consult an arborist. "You want to be proactive, not reactive. It's good insurance to pay for an hour of consultation rather than damage to your house."

Trimming reduces the possibility that a tree may burn, spewing embers that could start or spread fires. Wise trimmers always try to remove dead and dying material, and weak or damaged limbs. They also check for trees that need to be balanced, cut back, or potentially removed.

Asked what a tree service typically does, Juan Gaytan Jr. of Vista-based Juan's Tree Service said, "We provide each plant and tree with what it needs Ö everything from nutrients, amount of watering, to type of trimming."

Pruning, fertilizing, and accompanying tree care are also part of the service.

There are many things homeowners can do to protect their homes from fires. "The idea is to prevent," Winsby said. "One way not to do it is to get anyone with a chain saw to top your tree. It's a waste of money if you don't get it done correctly."

Topping a tree doesn't guarantee safety because the problem could be in the roots of otherwise healthy-looking trees. The smart thing to do is have the whole tree inspected.

Any tree next to a house, with branches hanging over or showing signs of weakness or instability, should be cut away from the building. Trees should be pruned for balance and have dead or dying branches removed. Some of those may be removed easily by the homeowner. Other small steps homeowners can take to increase fire safety include frequently mowing the lawn and removing dead twigs, needles, leaves and branches from around the home.

"Weeds and dry grasses should be kept cut," said Gaytan. "Because we are up in the trees, sometimes above houses, we tend to look out for dead leaves and debris on roof tops and gutters, things usually not noticed by homeowners, and offer removal of these as well."

Juan's Tree Service follows these guidelines from fire departments: reduce the fuel zone around the house; clear brush up to the 100 feet required by the state; and keep trees and shrubs trimmed within 15 feet of each other. The trimmers eliminate vegetation below tree canopies by trimming them 2 feet up from the ground or one-third the height of the tree, whichever is less.

The reality of the situation is that any tree will burn, especially if not maintained. There is no perfect plant to have next to a house. However, homeowners can choose plants with drought-tolerant characteristics that require minimum maintenance.

"African creeping daisy, creeping rosemary, oleander, California pepper, fan palms, California wild rose, California sage brush are plants we have found to be low maintenance," said Gaytan.

Trees such as pines, junipers, acacia, cedar, cypress, eucalyptus and pampas grass should not be considered next to a house. High-maintenance plants, shrubs and trees should be avoided, especially if the house or building still has a wood shake or shingle roof.

For example, fan palms can be great trees that won't burn if they are skinned or pruned at least every four to six months. But that same palm unkempt is a very high fire risk.

As for what tree services typically cost, that depends on what needs to be done, where the tree is, and what type it is. Pruning can range from $50 to $1,000. Many tree care companies offer day rates of around $1,000.00. Payment plans are usually an option for clients.

To find a reputable tree service, Winsby said, "Ask for references. Otherwise, you could be mutilating trees or causing more of a problem."

Elizabeth Ireland is a freelance writer.

How do you choose a reputable tree trimmer?

- References: Check those provided by tree trimmers and ask your neighbors; there is a lot to be said for word of mouth.

- Estimate: Make sure the tree service company provides a detailed outline describing services. A reliable company will provide a written contract explaining scope of work, time frame, and exact costs.

- Contract: Establish provisions in the contract in the event of a mishap, such as downed utility lines or water supply interruption.

- Liability: It's a given that a reliable tree service company will have adequate insurance for possible damage to your property (or your neighbor's). Pick up the phone and verify liability and workers' compensation insurance coverage of the tree contractor with their provider.